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Topic: Five books every convert must read! (Read 17477 times)

Outside of the Holy Scriptures, service books and real obvious stuff what are the top five books you think that a convert should read are?

Here is the list I have:

1) Father Seraphim Rose: his Life and Works by hieromonk Damascene

I think Father Seraphim is a great aide in the caution against super-correctness but also the typical Americanization / watering down of Orthodoxy found today. It is really inspiring to see an average American live the Orthodox life so fully. He is solidly Orthodox and the book contains a good amount of solid theology.

2) Saint Nektarios: the Saint of our Century by Sotos Chrondopoulos

Maybe I am just a little biased towards my patron, but I believe he is an awesoem example of sanctity in modern life. Any good biography of a modern saint would full this role, such as Saint John's bio published by St. Herman's.

3) The Illness and Cure of the Soul in the Orthodox Tradition by Metropoltan Hierotheos (Vlachos) of Nafpaktos.

This is a great introduction to what Theosis is and the Orthodox spiritual life. Deals with why the nous needs to be purified etc.

I agree completely with Nektarios on the Fr. Seraphim book. Also, since we're leaving out the "obvious", I'm guesing it's same to assume this means most basic catechetical type books along with The Orthodox Church by Bishop Kallistos. That said, here are mine:

1.)Father Seraphim Rose: his Life and Work.

2.) Any book about the New Martyrs of Russia. The New Martyrs of Russia by Fr. Michael Polsky, Russia's Catacomb Saints by IM Andreev or The New Confessors of Russia by Archimandrite Damascene Orlovsky are good choices.

3.) The lives of saints! Particularly the life of St. Seraphim along with his conversation with Motovilov. The life of St. Mary of Egypt. St. John of Kronstadt, St. Xenia of Petersburg, St. Nektarios...and others. A good array of ancient and modern saints to show the Church's rich history and different paths of holiness. I realize this "array" isn't reflected very well in the short list I gave- these are just some favorites. If the person is an American convert, then the lives of the American saints- most notably St. John of San Francisco, St. Herman and St. Innocent.

4.) For The Life of the World by Fr. Alexander Schmemann. I know, those who know me are wondering if they read that correctly. Yup, ya did.

5.) The fifth Gospel- aka The Brothers Karamazov by Dostoevsky.

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"When you give food to the poor, they call you a saint. When you ask why the poor have no food, they call you a communist". - Archbishop Hélder Pessoa Câmara

OK, here are 5 that have been very helpful to me as a Protestant convert to Orthodoxy. Mind you that I am Ethiopian Orthodox- (OO).

1. "The Ethiopian Tewahedo Church" by Archbishop Abuna Yeshaq

In my opinion, this book is the ultimate guide to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Thanks be to God for Archbishop Yesehaq, who was sent by His Majesty Haile Selassie I to the Western Hemisphere to establish the true and ancient Christian Faith. This is the man who baptized Bob Marley.

This book is written by a Protestant, but it is essentially an apologetic and explanation of Orthodoxy for those who know little about it. This book has really helped me to understand the why's and what's of Orthodox practices, customs, and worship. It is an excellent guide for those who are curious about Orthodoxy, or for Protestant converts such as myself. My only criticism is that it doesn't mention anything about the Non-Chalcedonian Churches.

3. "The Orthodox Church" by Kallistos (Timothy) Ware

This is another great guide to Orthodoxy. Very readable. The index is especialy helpful. If you want to know about a certain Orthodox doctrine or practice, you can easily look it up and find a clear explanation.

Written anonymously, this short work is considered to be the classic Russian Orthodox book on prayer. Easy to read, but full of spiritual depth that can never be exhausted.

6. "Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works"by Heirmonk Damascene

I'm only about half way through this tome, but I am enjoying it. The first 200 pages were really good, but then it started to drag a bit. But a friend of mine has assured me that it really picks back up after you get past the half-way point. I guess it depends on what you like. For example, I love reading about people's spiritual journeys and their philosophical development. but I get a bit bogged down when biogrpahers feel the need to include every influential person in the subject's life. Sometimes it seems like there are too many chapters devoted to biographies of the individuals that influenced Father Seraphim Rose, rather than sticking to the life of Seraphim rose himself. I would prefer to read more of Rose's actual writings and his philosophical/theological transformation. Another disappointment is the omission of many of the details of Seraphim Rose's trials and struggles before his conversion. This is a long book, but overall I think it is very interesting and worth the read.

Hope that helps.

Selam

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"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

In college we had to read an excerpt from this book. The excerpt was "The Grand Inquisitor." It blew me away with how prophetic it was. I was moved to go and buy the book from which this story came, which of course was "The Brothers Karamazov." I find it hard to believe that a more profound piece of literature has ever been written. I have only read it once, and I keep telling myself that this is a book that I must read at least two more times before I die. It is so full of prophecy, Christian sybolism, and philosophical truth. It is also a brilliant psychological analysis of the human condition and the human soul.

Selam

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"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Mine, when I was a catechumen, were Fr. Alexander Schmeman's "Journals," in their original Russian. Of course, I realize that they are not for "every" convert, because of the language barrier and also, perhaps, because one needs to have experienced some of the culture Fr. Alexander was part of (i.e. that of the so-called "intelligentsia" of the old imperial Russia, with its very peculiar mindset, language, affinities etc.). Yet, I would very enthusiastically recommend the "Journals" to everyone who wishes to go through this experience.

And of course, most definitely, all of Fr. Alexander's liturgical theology books ("For the Life of the World," "By Water and Spirit," "Eucharist: The Sacrament of the Kingdom"), and his articles, lectures, homilies - everything. Many of those were translated into English or even written in English by their amazingly trilingual (Russian - French - English) author.

I own this book. I would say that it is not a great guide for those converting, though. At the end of the book he throws some rather critical views of Orthodoxy around, and argues that the Charismatic/Pentecostal sects have validity. I am not sure I would recommend this work. Although it does have some interesting things about the 7 Councils.

I just remembered the one that I wanted to include:Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian by Jordan BajisIt is really excellent for converts. Be sure to get the unabridged version if you are interested.

I own this book. I would say that it is not a great guide for those converting, though. At the end of the book he throws some rather critical views of Orthodoxy around, and argues that the Charismatic/Pentecostal sects have validity. I am not sure I would recommend this work. Although it does have some interesting things about the 7 Councils.

Yes, I agree. But I found it so refreshing to find an evangelical Protestant who doesn't bash our devotion to Our Lady or our view of the sacraments, icons, and such. That is a very rare thing, and I appreciated his intellectual integrity. Of course, in his charity, he does give validity to those movements that are quite heterodox. And ultimately he affirms the Protestant positions.

But I have to remind myself that I would not be Orthodox today if it hadn't been for Protestantism. I became a Christian through a Protestant ministry, and I learned to love the Bible through Protestant teachings. So, if I were to ever write a book for Orthodox readers that attempted to articulate Protestant theology, I hope that I would be as honest in my characterization of it as Clendenin has been towards us. And, like him, I would also ultimatley argue for the preeminence of my position (Orthodoxy).

Selam

« Last Edit: May 14, 2009, 10:29:35 AM by Gebre Menfes Kidus »

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"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

I just remembered the one that I wanted to include:Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American Christian by Jordan BajisIt is really excellent for converts. Be sure to get the unabridged version if you are interested.

Although I found Becoming Orthodox pretty simplistic, and unoriginal, nonetheless it is decent. And thank you for reminding me of the Divine Energy. I read that one after I became Orthodox, and man was it good! I meant to suggest that one, but couldn't quite remember the name.

1. Father Seraphim Rose: his Life and Works. Mentioned already but I think everyone should read it; it is one of my favorite books.

2. A Night in the Desert of the Holy Mountain by Metropolitan Hierotheos Vlachos. This is a great book on the Jesus prayer.

3. The Northern Thebaid: Monastic Saints of the Russian North compiled by Fr. Seraphim Rose. Amazing book that contains the lives of the holy monastic Saints of Russia.

4. The Little Russian Philokalia from St. Herman's Press. It is a series and only three of the volumes are in print: St. Seraphim of Sarov, Elder Nazarius of Valaam (St. Herman's elder), and St. Theodore of Sanaxar. Each contain the life and councils of the Saint. I really love the St. Seraphim of Sarov volume which contains his conversation with N.A. Motovilov along with other councils that are priceless. The ones that are currently out of print are St. Paisius Velichkovsky and St. Herman of Alaska and I hope that they will appear back in print one day.

5. Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain by Priestmonk Christodoulos. The life and sayings of Elder Paisios the Athonite who is a holy Elder of our times.

Although I found Becoming Orthodox pretty simplistic, and unoriginal, nonetheless it is decent.

Unoriginal? It was essentially a memoir of these evangelicals in their journey to the Orthodox Church. How could it be unoriginal? They told their story in their struggle to overcome the theological hurdles they faced. I would agree that it's not deep. But a convert coming to the Church doesn't need meat but rather milk. Frankly, that book has resulted in thousands (including myself) of folks entering the Church. It is what it is and it's not meant to be what it isn't! Ha! Twist that one around for a minute.

Anyway... we're all different so different books are going to be welcomed or not by each of us. Take care.

Unfortunately, I haven't read very many books on Orthodoxy because they're very hard to find in english here (not to speak of expensive), and I've tried interlibrary loaning them, but even with a great public library system, they can be almost impossible to access.

But I've read the Bajis book "Common Ground" and found it excellent. If I could read it again, I would.

Also "The Way of the Pilgrim"

I also love Abbot Nikon's "Letters To Spiritual Children". Trained in the world of medicine/psychiatry (which he basically rejected), he speaks with great empathy to those struggling with depression.

Then there is this beautiful little book which I do turn to constantly for wisdom on so many subjects, "Living Without Hypocrisy:Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina". A beautifully produced book with lovely old-fashioned illustrations. Adorable is not the right word, but that's what I call the book!

If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

"For, by its immensity, the divine substance surpasses every form that our intellect reaches. Thus we are unable to apprehend it by knowing what it is. Yet we are able to have some knowledge of it by knowing what it is not." - St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa contra gentiles, I, 14.

1) The Desert Fathers: Sayings of the Early Christian Monks. Penguin books edition. 2) Byzantium by Stephen Lawhead3) From the Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple4) Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky5) Father Arseny: Priest, Prisoner, Spiritual Father

Hmm. Interesting pics. What about these particular books do you see of importance for converts. And converts to what BTW?

Sparked my interest, too. Perhaps a way to get us converts over the "Yippee-skippee-we-found-the-true-faith" triumphalism with a dose of, "Yeah, and look what good the true faith has done huge swaths of people throughout history."

Hmm. Interesting pics. What about these particular books do you see of importance for converts. And converts to what BTW?

Sparked my interest, too. Perhaps a way to get us converts over the "Yippee-skippee-we-found-the-true-faith" triumphalism with a dose of, "Yeah, and look what good the true faith has done huge swaths of people throughout history."

Yeah, but everyone needs a honeymoon.

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If you will, you can become all flame.Extra caritatem nulla salus.In order to become whole, take the "I" out of "holiness". सर्वभूतहितἌνω σχῶμεν τὰς καρδίας"Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is." -- Mohandas GandhiY dduw bo'r diolch.

Unfortunately, I haven't read very many books on Orthodoxy because they're very hard to find in english here (not to speak of expensive), and I've tried interlibrary loaning them, but even with a great public library system, they can be almost impossible to access.

But I've read the Bajis book "Common Ground" and found it excellent. If I could read it again, I would.

Also "The Way of the Pilgrim"

I also love Abbot Nikon's "Letters To Spiritual Children". Trained in the world of medicine/psychiatry (which he basically rejected), he speaks with great empathy to those struggling with depression.

Then there is this beautiful little book which I do turn to constantly for wisdom on so many subjects, "Living Without Hypocrisy:Spiritual Counsels of the Holy Elders of Optina". A beautifully produced book with lovely old-fashioned illustrations. Adorable is not the right word, but that's what I call the book!

Rosehip, I know what you mean about the lack of basic texts about the Orthodox Church in Public Libraries, two weeks ago I went to my public Library and when I did a word and topic search on the Orthdox Church, it came up with 2 books both about Orthodox Judaism and one on Russian history. Now I am trying tosave to but a basic package of hardback books on Orthodoxy so that the library will have a few basic texts. Luckily it does have a nice selection on the early church fathers for me to read for Orthodox spirituality, however as far as my city library serving some 75,000 people is concerned there is no Eastern Orthodox Church be it Greek, Russian, Antiochian, or Alexandrian. Fo we have any mission society that places basic introduction texts into libraries like mine.

Hmm. Interesting pics. What about these particular books do you see of importance for converts. And converts to what BTW?

Greek culture is the milieu our church is from, to understand the church, you in some way need to understand it. To understand modern Orthodoxy, you need to understand its history of captivity and the effects of the rise of the nation states and national identification in the 19th century.

Why Angels Fall I think is a must read. I think it captures as best as you can in one work what is present in the church at all times - the angelic and the psychotic.

If I were to suggest one more book, which actually doesn't have a direct relation to Orthodoxy, it would be this one

I've nothing against history and it seems to me that a brief understanding of the history of the Church is an important thing. Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church. We do not need to be aware of nationalism in the Balkans nor a concise history of Greece in order to be Orthodox. It seems to me that this insistence upon the ethnic nature of the Church (and keeping it so) is what continues to hold the Orthodox Church back in America. It is seen as an ethnic church and not one of the average American. Bear in mind that the Orthodox Church is not growing in America.. in fact, it is barely holding its own. To re-iterate, I've nothing against our individual churches acknowledging their appreciation for those who brought the Orthodox Church to the New World. But it's time here (America) to get out of these "little ethnic ghettos" (as quoted from Met. Philip).

Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church

Yes, I think there are threads somewhere about convert turnover and the 5 year cycle. Maybe people do wake up to the reality that while a lot is great about Orthodoxy, a lot in it is also deeply messed up.

I am not surprised to see Metropolitan Philip take a dig at the "ethnic ghettos". That's probably why he forbids his priests from wearing traditional Orthodox garb in public or why in an interview I read of his recently he said that while he likes the Byzantine liturgy and is familiar with it, he could see future generations no longer using it because it isn't culturally relevant. Perhaps he could mention this same thing to Metropolitan Jonah, who in another interview I read with a Russian paper praised Russian culture and how he's been deeply influenced by it.

Some day I imagine many converts will get fed up with the Byzantine past; with poor, pathetic shrinking ethnodoxy and we will get the Saddleback Orthodox church we they seek to bring back many of the things they treasured but left behind.Moderator subsituted "messed up" for an abbreviate word of profanity not allowed on this forum. Thomas -Convert Issues Forum Moderator

Not to be a wet blanket, but most of these books that have been listed on this thread to date are books that every ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN should read, regardless of whether he was born into the faith or came to it later.

I feel, in many ways, that there is too much emphasis (and I'm talking about Orthodoxy in general) on the whole convert v. cradle mentality. Isn't an Orthodox Christian Orthodox regardless?

Not to be a wet blanket, but most of these books that have been listed on this thread to date are books that every ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN should read, regardless of whether he was born into the faith or came to it later.

I feel, in many ways, that there is too much emphasis (and I'm talking about Orthodoxy in general) on the whole convert v. cradle mentality. Isn't an Orthodox Christian Orthodox regardless?

Sorry to rain on anyone's parade.

Don't apologize. I think you make a very good point.

Selam

Logged

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church

Yes, I think there are threads somewhere about convert turnover and the 5 year cycle. Maybe people do wake up to the reality that while a lot is great about Orthodoxy, a lot in it is also deeply messed up.

I am not surprised to see Metropolitan Philip take a dig at the "ethnic ghettos". That's probably why he forbids his priests from wearing traditional Orthodox garb in public or why in an interview I read of his recently he said that while he likes the Byzantine liturgy and is familiar with it, he could see future generations no longer using it because it isn't culturally relevant. Perhaps he could mention this same thing to Metropolitan Jonah, who in another interview I read with a Russian paper praised Russian culture and how he's been deeply influenced by it.

Some day I imagine many converts will get fed up with the Byzantine past; with poor, pathetic shrinking ethnodoxy and we will get the Saddleback Orthodox church we they seek to bring back many of the things they treasured but left behind.Moderator subsituted "messed up" for an abbreviate word of profanity not allowed on this forum. Thomas -Convert Issues Forum Moderator

I don't know. Some of what you say sounds a litle disappointing to me. I personaly think it is tragic that the priests are forbidden to wear traditonal Orthodox garb in public. Why should they be ashamed of their culture? Will God use them more because they hide and downplay their culture? And I also cringe whenever I hear people say that we should abandon certain traditions and practices because they aren't "culturally relevant." This is the same argument people make about ordaining women and homosexuals. They say that the words of St. Paul are not culturally relevant for these modern times.

I am a baptized member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. I am white and an American-born citizen. But I would be horrified if my beautiful and culturally rich Ethiopian Orthodox Church felt the need to become more "culturally relevant," and thereby compromised their liturgical language and traditons for the sake of accomadating Western tastes and preferences. I love my Church, and the proud and rich culture that I saw in the Ethiopian Christians was part of what drew me to the Faith.

Selam

Logged

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Although I found Becoming Orthodox pretty simplistic, and unoriginal, nonetheless it is decent. And thank you for reminding me of the Divine Energy. I read that one after I became Orthodox, and man was it good! I meant to suggest that one, but couldn't quite remember the name.

How is it "unoriginal"? And why must something be "original" in order for it to be "important", "meaningful", and good for converts? If that was truely their experience then it doesn't matter how "unoriginal" it was. It was true to their life. And not only their life, but the life of a good portion of evangelical America.

You can't count them out.

JNORM888

« Last Edit: May 15, 2009, 08:16:58 PM by jnorm888 »

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"loving one's enemies does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, or theft. Rather, it means loving the theif, the ungodly, and the adulterer." Clement of Alexandria 195 A.D.

Although I found Becoming Orthodox pretty simplistic, and unoriginal, nonetheless it is decent.

Unoriginal? It was essentially a memoir of these evangelicals in their journey to the Orthodox Church. How could it be unoriginal? They told their story in their struggle to overcome the theological hurdles they faced. I would agree that it's not deep. But a convert coming to the Church doesn't need meat but rather milk. Frankly, that book has resulted in thousands (including myself) of folks entering the Church. It is what it is and it's not meant to be what it isn't! Ha! Twist that one around for a minute.

Anyway... we're all different so different books are going to be welcomed or not by each of us. Take care.

This is what I was saying. I don't understand the whole "unoriginal" statement either.

JNORM888

Logged

"loving one's enemies does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, or theft. Rather, it means loving the theif, the ungodly, and the adulterer." Clement of Alexandria 195 A.D.

Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church

Yes, I think there are threads somewhere about convert turnover and the 5 year cycle. Maybe people do wake up to the reality that while a lot is great about Orthodoxy, a lot in it is also deeply messed up.

I am not surprised to see Metropolitan Philip take a dig at the "ethnic ghettos". That's probably why he forbids his priests from wearing traditional Orthodox garb in public or why in an interview I read of his recently he said that while he likes the Byzantine liturgy and is familiar with it, he could see future generations no longer using it because it isn't culturally relevant. Perhaps he could mention this same thing to Metropolitan Jonah, who in another interview I read with a Russian paper praised Russian culture and how he's been deeply influenced by it.

Some day I imagine many converts will get fed up with the Byzantine past; with poor, pathetic shrinking ethnodoxy and we will get the Saddleback Orthodox church we they seek to bring back many of the things they treasured but left behind.Moderator subsituted "messed up" for an abbreviate word of profanity not allowed on this forum. Thomas -Convert Issues Forum Moderator

Why can't we have both? Pop American culture keeps changing every 10 to 15 years. What is in today will be out tomorrow. So why would we want to be like that? And why can't we have both an Ethnic ghetto and multi-American regional ghettos?

I don't understand why we can't preserve both the ethnic ghetto's as well as start new mission's with mostly converts. I don't understand why we can't have both.

For some converts actually love ethnic stuff. While some of the younger cradles may actually love the missions where there are mostly converts.

So let's have both.

JNORM888

« Last Edit: May 15, 2009, 08:36:17 PM by jnorm888 »

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"loving one's enemies does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, or theft. Rather, it means loving the theif, the ungodly, and the adulterer." Clement of Alexandria 195 A.D.

Not to be a wet blanket, but most of these books that have been listed on this thread to date are books that every ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN should read, regardless of whether he was born into the faith or came to it later.

I feel, in many ways, that there is too much emphasis (and I'm talking about Orthodoxy in general) on the whole convert v. cradle mentality. Isn't an Orthodox Christian Orthodox regardless?

Sorry to rain on anyone's parade.

When you come from different backgrounds, and were tought different things, then you may have questions or concerns that someone who was raised Orthodox all their life may not have. So it's good to have resources to answer some of these questions. We can't pretend that every convert will have no questions, and concerns.

I guess there are books that we could talk about for All Orthodox, but I don't see a problem with having books that would address the issues that former Anglicans may have....or former evangelicals may have.....or former Roman Catholics may have.....or former Hindu and Buddhists may have........ect.

Because we all have questions, and things from our past, and it's good to see Orthodox books address some of these issues. It's good to have books that we all can relate to in some way form or fashion.

Is a book that deals with the African American demo-graphic. Now everyone isn't going to have the same questions and concerns that my people group have, but if it wasn't for books like this, then alot of questions and concerns will just not be answered.....and we will just pretend that these issues don't exist in converts from a certain African American demo-graphic.

And if this is true for my demo-graphic, then what about the demo-graphic of others? They have issues, and questions that are unique to their situation too. So we need books for converts to help them in their walk and to over come certain hurdles.

But converts also need books that are good for all Orthodox as well. So we need both.

JNORM888

« Last Edit: May 15, 2009, 09:06:32 PM by jnorm888 »

Logged

"loving one's enemies does not mean loving wickedness, ungodliness, adultery, or theft. Rather, it means loving the theif, the ungodly, and the adulterer." Clement of Alexandria 195 A.D.

Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church

Yes, I think there are threads somewhere about convert turnover and the 5 year cycle. Maybe people do wake up to the reality that while a lot is great about Orthodoxy, a lot in it is also deeply messed up.

I am not surprised to see Metropolitan Philip take a dig at the "ethnic ghettos". That's probably why he forbids his priests from wearing traditional Orthodox garb in public or why in an interview I read of his recently he said that while he likes the Byzantine liturgy and is familiar with it, he could see future generations no longer using it because it isn't culturally relevant. Perhaps he could mention this same thing to Metropolitan Jonah, who in another interview I read with a Russian paper praised Russian culture and how he's been deeply influenced by it.

Some day I imagine many converts will get fed up with the Byzantine past; with poor, pathetic shrinking ethnodoxy and we will get the Saddleback Orthodox church we they seek to bring back many of the things they treasured but left behind.Moderator subsituted "messed up" for an abbreviate word of profanity not allowed on this forum. Thomas -Convert Issues Forum Moderator

Why can't we have both? Pop American culture keeps changing every 10 to 15 years. What is in today will be out tomorrow. So why would we want to be like that? And why can't we have both an Ethnic ghetto and multi-American regional ghettos?

I don't understand why we can't preserve both the ethnic ghetto's as well as start new mission's with mostly converts. I don't understand why we can't have both.

For some converts actually love ethnic stuff. While some of the younger cradles may actually love the missions where there are mostly converts.

So let's have both.

JNORM888

Sounds good to me JNORM. Makes perfect sense.

Selam

Logged

"Whether it’s the guillotine, the hangman’s noose, or reciprocal endeavors of militaristic horror, radical evil will never be recompensed with radical punishment. The only answer, the only remedy, and the only truly effective response to radical evil is radical love."+ Gebre Menfes Kidus +http://bookstore.authorhouse.com/Products/SKU-000984270/Rebel-Song.aspx

Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church

Yes, I think there are threads somewhere about convert turnover and the 5 year cycle. Maybe people do wake up to the reality that while a lot is great about Orthodoxy, a lot in it is also deeply messed up.

I am not surprised to see Metropolitan Philip take a dig at the "ethnic ghettos". That's probably why he forbids his priests from wearing traditional Orthodox garb in public or why in an interview I read of his recently he said that while he likes the Byzantine liturgy and is familiar with it, he could see future generations no longer using it because it isn't culturally relevant. Perhaps he could mention this same thing to Metropolitan Jonah, who in another interview I read with a Russian paper praised Russian culture and how he's been deeply influenced by it.

Some day I imagine many converts will get fed up with the Byzantine past; with poor, pathetic shrinking ethnodoxy and we will get the Saddleback Orthodox church we they seek to bring back many of the things they treasured but left behind.Moderator subsituted "messed up" for an abbreviate word of profanity not allowed on this forum. Thomas -Convert Issues Forum Moderator

Why can't we have both? Pop American culture keeps changing every 10 to 15 years. What is in today will be out tomorrow. So why would we want to be like that? And why can't we have both an Ethnic ghetto and multi-American regional ghettos?

I don't understand why we can't preserve both the ethnic ghetto's as well as start new mission's with mostly converts. I don't understand why we can't have both.

For some converts actually love ethnic stuff. While some of the younger cradles may actually love the missions where there are mostly converts.

Having said that, however, if what you are saying is in fact true, I would run... not walk... from the Orthodox Church

Yes, I think there are threads somewhere about convert turnover and the 5 year cycle. Maybe people do wake up to the reality that while a lot is great about Orthodoxy, a lot in it is also deeply messed up.

I am not surprised to see Metropolitan Philip take a dig at the "ethnic ghettos". That's probably why he forbids his priests from wearing traditional Orthodox garb in public or why in an interview I read of his recently he said that while he likes the Byzantine liturgy and is familiar with it, he could see future generations no longer using it because it isn't culturally relevant. Perhaps he could mention this same thing to Metropolitan Jonah, who in another interview I read with a Russian paper praised Russian culture and how he's been deeply influenced by it.

Some day I imagine many converts will get fed up with the Byzantine past; with poor, pathetic shrinking ethnodoxy and we will get the Saddleback Orthodox church we they seek to bring back many of the things they treasured but left behind.Moderator subsituted "messed up" for an abbreviate word of profanity not allowed on this forum. Thomas -Convert Issues Forum Moderator

I know about the five year hurdle. I'm at the nineteen year point myself.

1. "The Orthodox Church", by Kallistos Ware2&3. "Facing East' and "At the Corner of East and Now" both by Frederica Mathews-Green. 4. "Beginning to Pray" by Anthony Bloom5."The Illuminating Icon" by Anthony Ugolnik

"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (among other of his books) made the honorable mention, but only because he's not Orthodox. Nevertheless, Lewis does a great job at apologetics which large numbers of Christians - east and west - can agree on. For someone coming in from an unchurched background, you can do a whole lot worse than good ol' Clive Staples Lewis.

As for "Why Angels Fall", I would NOT recommend this to a new convert. This British author's argument (and the author is not Orthodox) is that "while Western Christianity has lost its heart, Eastern Orthodox Christianity has lost its mind."

Basically, the author of that book sees the Balkans as hopelessly wrenched apart by ethnic hatreds, and that the Orthodox Church had a large part to play in this. So, the central thesis of the book is arguable, (and could be argued against as well) this is not a book to give a person who is looking into what is good and wholesome about the Orthodox Church.

1. "The Orthodox Church", by Kallistos Ware2&3. "Facing East' and "At the Corner of East and Now" both by Frederica Mathews-Green. 4. "Beginning to Pray" by Anthony Bloom5."The Illuminating Icon" by Anthony Ugolnik

"Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis (among other of his books) made the honorable mention, but only because he's not Orthodox. Nevertheless, Lewis does a great job at apologetics which large numbers of Christians - east and west - can agree on. For someone coming in from an unchurched background, you can do a whole lot worse than good ol' Clive Staples Lewis.

As for "Why Angels Fall", I would NOT recommend this to a new convert. This British author's argument (and the author is not Orthodox) is that "while Western Christianity has lost its heart, Eastern Orthodox Christianity has lost its mind."

Basically, the author of that book sees the Balkans as hopelessly wrenched apart by ethnic hatreds, and that the Orthodox Church had a large part to play in this. So, the central thesis of the book is arguable, (and could be argued against as well) this is not a book to give a person who is looking into what is good and wholesome about the Orthodox Church.